The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-02

TEXAR'S REVENGE
BY JULES VERNE.


crackers.
I'VE are certain said Gilbert, ''that neither
Zermah nor Dy are with this party. Ihere are
no footprints of horse, and if Zermah was with
them it is obvious that with Dy in her arms her
footprints would be easily recognizable, ana we
should see Dy's footsteps at the hating places
But there is no mark of woman's foot or eirls
foot The detachment carries firearms. we
can see the marks of the stocks on the ground
Rn+ notice that the stocks are like those on the
rifles carried by sailors. Probably the Forioa
militia has such arms, if not l cannot under
etand it, One thing is certain, ana anar Is and
the band is ten times as numerous as ours auo
must be very careful as we gel hsaroi "
them"
And everything was done to carry out his sug-
eestion His deductions from the evidence or
the footprints were correct IL was obvious
that neither DIV nor Zermah were with the oe-
tachment and it seemed from this certain tnaS
they were not on the track OF the Spaniaro.
The men from Black Creek could not pc SO q JIM
erous or so well armed. And there couiu % ~
tie doubt that a strong body OF militia were on
the march to the Everglades, where Iexar nad
probably arrived Gay or two before: Anu
these militia might make matters serious ior
James Burbank.
That evening they halted on the edge of mar
row clearing, which had been occupied an nour
two beforehand. to judge from the heap vi
scarcely cold cinde-s and the traces OF the camp.
When this was ascer,ained, it was decided not TO
resume the march till after nightfalL Inc nighs
was dark. The sky was cloudy. The moon oio
tacbment under the most favorable conditions.
Could they rsconnoitre the camp without being
perceived Could they get round 1t during the
night, aud hurry in front SO as to De nrss at
Lake Okse- c h O. bee and Carneral lsiandf
The expedition. with Mars and Gilbert ahead
scouts, started about haf-past @'Snt' ana 81
lently entered into the darkness onder the trees.
For two hours they kept on, mixing as At'le
noise possible.
A little after 10 o'clock James Burbank
stoned with a word the group of blacks at
whose head ne and the overseer were walking
His son and Mars coming back to"a ARDS
him, and he waited anxiously Tor an explanation
of their rapid retreat
The explanation was soon given. >,
s.What is itl" he asked. What do you see"
"a camp urder the trees, and the fires
'.Far off," asked Carol.
about a hundred yards"
''Did you who they wereF
''But 1 do not think wrong IN saying
there are two hundred men,
''Are they asleepl"
Most of them. but they have got men on the
watch. We saw the sentines with their rifles
on their shoulders pacing backwards ana Tor
wards under the expresses"
''What are we to dor asked Carroll
eve must first of all reconnotre them. said
Gilbert, "and see who they are if possible"
Il am ready" said Mars
..Ill go with you" said Perry
''No I'll CO." said Gilbert; II would rather
see for myself"
Colbert" said James Burbank, "there is not
good of US All: but make this reconnaissance
with some chance of not being seen, only one
ought to CO."
mo my son. l would rather you stayed
with u.s."
81 am ready, master!'
And Mars, without another word, disappeared
in the darkness.
While he was gone James Burbank prepared
for an attack. The bales and packages were
laid down in a circle; the bearers took to their
md mi VI
mong the trees. awaiting further orders.
From where James Burbank stood he could
not ses the camp. He had to go about nifty
yards before the fires were visible; and he re-
solved wait till the half breed returned before
he took any further measures. The Heuten-
ant was more impatient, and went forward
few yards.
Mars approached the camp, gliding silently
from trunk to trunk, hoping to get near enough
to see how the men were placed and VINO they
were. and how many they were. This did not
to be difficult. the night was dark. and
the fires gave but little light. But to succeed he
must get almost inside the camp
To have the free use of his limbs as much as
possible he had taken with him neither rifle nor
revolver, 1t would be necessary to defend him
self in silence. and his only weapon was his axe.
Soon the brave half-breed was close TO one OF
the sentries who was only seven or eight Yards
from the fires All still. Evidently the
men tired after their long march. and
asleep The.sentinels alone were watching
at their posts with more or less vigilance.
For moment he looked at the man who
against cypress trunk, and gave no sign of NOV
ing. His gun resting on the ground and
he seemed half asleep. Was it possible to slip
around niml
Mars crept stealthily toward him. Suddenly
the cracking of a dry branch revealed his pres
! ence.
| Instantly the man raised his head and looked
to the right and left
! Doubtless he saw something suspicious, for he
brought his gun TO his shoulder.
| Before he could fire Mars had knocked his gun
u-d
ground. and the same time clapped his large
hand to his mouth that he could utter no cry.
| A moment afterward the man was gagged.
and carried hurredly to James Burbank.
the other seDtinels took no notice of what hGa
passed. Evidently their watch was negligent
| one.
fset The blacks crowded up The man was
half-suffocated and when the gag was removed
| he could not for moment or so say a WORD.
| The darkness was too great for his uniform to
.:Helpl' he shouted.
! mot wordr said James Burbank. stopping
| him. You have nothing to fear from us.
| what do you want with met"
| ITO answer truthfuly to our questions
'That will depend on your ques tions." said
| the man. Are you for the South or the
| North~
For the North"
az am ready to reply"
Gilbert took up the examination.
| How many men are there in that campf
| NEARLY two hundred"
where are they goingF
ITO the Everglades"
| 'Who is in commando"
| Captain Howick.'
What; Captain Howick of the Wabash!"
Eyes"
''Is it a detachment of seamen from Commo
| dore Dupont's squadron
Yes federals. Northerners. Ant-slavery
men. Unionstsl' said the man. apparently quit.
| proud at announcing the different titles of tn,
| followers of the good cause.
And so, instead of O body of Florida militia
of Texar's partisans. James Burbank had me
with friends with companions in who's,
reinforcement was most welcome
t'Hurrahi" they shouted with such vigor that
the whole camp was instantly afoot.
Suddenly torches fiared I'D in the darkness
Burbanks mon rushed into the clearing, ans
Captain Howlck, without word of explanation
held out his hand to the young lieutenant
whom he never expected to meet on the road t
the Everglades Explanations did not tax
long. nor they difficult.